At 4 am on Tuesday, when most of the city was still asleep, a line began to form outside the Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) showroom in Bengaluru. By sunrise, the queue stretched long, filled
with families, elderly women clutching handbags, and younger buyers scrolling through phones as they waited their turn. The reason was to get their hands on authentic Mysore silk sarees.
Price Of Mysore Silk Sarees
Known for their quality and craftsmanship, Mysore silk sarees are priced between Rs 23,000 and Rs 2.5 lakh. A video capturing the pre-dawn rush outside the KSIC outlet is now viral on social media.
Women queue up from 4.00 AM outside a Karnataka Soviet (sorry Silk) Industries Corporation showroom to buy silk sarees starting from ₹23,000 and going up to ₹250,000. Only 1 saree per customer and you need a token to be in the queue.
There is an ongoing shortage (or more… pic.twitter.com/d100w3hql0
— Rakesh Krishnan Simha (@ByRakeshSimha) January 20, 2026
The surge in demand has prompted KSIC to tighten its purchase process. According to Kannada Prabha, the corporation has introduced a strict token system to manage the crowds. Only customers with tokens are allowed inside the showroom, and each buyer is limited to purchasing a single saree.
The measures aim to ensure fair access, prevent hoarding, and streamline the buying process amid the growing popularity of Mysore silk sarees.
A user on X wrote, “It’s not an Apple store in India, it’s a govt saree showroom in Karnataka. You need a token to enter and 1 saree per customer. What a monopoly, Boss.”
It's not an Apple store in india,
It's a govt saree showroom in Karnataka you need a token to enter and 1 saree per customer
What monopoly BossWhy People Lined Up At 4 am For Mysore Sarees
In response to the video, an X user commented, “Short supply + long queues + viral buzz = massive win for authenticity. People are literally lining up at 4 AM because they trust KSIC’s GI-tagged purity over private-sector knockoffs. Good problem to have.
Short supply + long queues + viral buzz = massive win for authenticity.
People are literally lining up at 4 AM because they trust KSIC's GI-tagged purity over private-sector knockoffs.
Good problem to have.
Another wrote, “It’s a saree costing 25000. I have stood in a queue for 1 KG Sugar, Dalda. Have faced a shortage of HMT watches. For Premier Padmini, 9 months to a year. Have paid 15K for OYT land line to MTNL. Those were the golden days of socialism. Believe me, I am not from the Stone Age.”
It’s a saree costing 25000. I have stood in a queue for 1 KG Sugar, Dalda. Have faced shortage of HMT watches. For Premier Padmini 9 months to a year. Have paid 15K for OYT land line to MTNL. Those were golden days of socialism. Believe me, I am not from stone age.
— Nitin Nimkar (@nitin_nimkar) January 20, 2026
Someone disagreed with the crazy Mysore Silk surge
They wrote on X, “Mysore Silk is absolutely overhyped and overpriced! It is crepe and not even pure silk! It is machine-made and not handloom either! Certainly not worth all the thousands and thousands they charge! You get far better quality original Pattu Sarees in Tamil Nadu and Andhra!”
Mysore Silk is absolutely overhyped and overpriced! It is crepe and not even pure silk! It is machine made and not handloom either! Certainly not worth all the thousands and thousands they charge!
Another wrote, “I really wonder if this is something to celebrate. Demand is curtailed by restricting supply?”
I really wonder is this something to celebrate.
Demand is curtailed by restricting supply ?— Ajay Iyer
A user countered, “Here’s a startup idea waiting to happen. Not all private producers are fake. A well-produced and branded item will sell if done with a sincere, quality-oriented business. It will be a pure marketing challenge if someone can do it.”
Here's a startup idea waiting to happen. Not all private producers are fake. A well produced and branded item will sell if done with a sincere quality oriented business is doing it. Will be a pure marketing challenge, if someone can do it.
— Vishwa Kiran (@vishwak) January 20, 2026
Someone joked, “Boomer version of iPhone launch.”
Boomer version of iPhone launch https://t.co/R6PUqNNmhN
— Dr. Van Nostrand (@RSD270) January 20, 2026
Why Mysore Silk Sarees Command High Prices
- Mysore silk sarees are made from 100 per cent pure mulberry silk.
- They feature real gold and silver zari woven into the borders and pallus.
- Each saree is crafted by skilled artisans using labour-intensive techniques.
- The sarees are known for their unique texture and high-quality finishing.
- Limited supply and a shortage of skilled weavers drive up their price.
- The sarees hold high cultural value and enjoy strong market demand.
